Seahorse Site Expansion Project - HELP DavidP!

[Reef_Angel]

Hi David! I'll be needing your help...like Now! Of course there's more to this also, so bare with me! We can talk through PM's or we can do it on the board. Either way is fine with me, but if we choose the board...it will be an excellent addition to the forum itself. I know we have gone over this all before, but I need to do it all again with you, step by step so that I may be able to save some fry!
What's this all about you ask? Well...everything!

My female Flora, transfered her eggs into my male Snickett's pouch like 2-3 days ago. So, where am I in the process of the fry being born. I'd like to know everything in detail because I know this will become a very used thread when it comes time for someone else to go through this experience. Even though I know the answers to a lot of the questions I'm going to be asking, I'm going to ask them all so it's a step by step process for the next Seahorse lover to follow. Then I think we'll go ahead and put all the data into one specific document that can be accessed directly from the CR Library! I really appreciate you doing this with me. I want to build our Seahorse section of CR so as to attract more reefers. Branching out bigger and bigger is my goal so that there's another great site dedicated to Seahorse keeping..."Captive Reefing Seahorse Keeping". Sounds pretty nice. You're our expert, and I'm dreaming up a way of making the Seahorse part more of it's own community. I'm always working on something. So here goes:

1. When do I expect Snickett to release the new fry? He's approx.2-3 days preggers (I think).
2. When should I separate him out of the tank into his own safe place where the fry don't get munched by anything else in the tank.
3. Can you show me some pictures of the setup you put together when you had your batches of fry?
4. I need to know what I need for power heads or filtration of any kind.
5. Fill me in on water changes and such for the fry.
6. What do I feed the little ones?
7. How long do they stay in their first bowl where they were
8. I need to know ahead of time everything I need to get before they arrive, like foods and any other additives that may need to be put in their water.
9. Is there any danger for Snickett when he gives birth to the fry?
10. Do I put both Snickett & Flora in the same tank until the babies come?
11. Things like water parameters and testing for all the right things.
12. What kind of additives go in the water if any?

I'm sure the list could go on and on, but I know you understand everything I'm looking for here. For me personally, time is of the essense since I'm dealing with possible fry soon. So you can give me the shortened version so I am ready.

You get the idea of what I'm getting at here. I sure hope you come to the board and see this post. In the meantime, I'll be doing a lot of reading. I spend most of my time reading about things, and comparing conflicting info and coming up with the right answers. I would like to be very ready for the fry, and do the best I can with them.

I think you probably get the drift at what I'm looking for from you my dear expert Sea Horsing Around Guy!

Other's mad add thoughts and things that might be useful in my pursuit of making this Forum BIGGER and it's own entity! David, let me know your thoughts, or give me a call please. I don't know if I have your number anymore. That's it for now. I'm going to bed! Thanks for all your patience with me and all my demands on you David! :p I really don't ever mean to be demanding, but you're the best as far as CR is concerned! G'night!....Angel :seahorse: :angel1:


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[JustDavidP]

Ummmm *blushing* I've been out of town helping fight a war on terror... do you still need my help?

Truth of the matter is, if they are successful, and even if you are not, you can now expect fry on a scheduled pattern. Mine deposit eggs only hours after the male gives birth..and two weeks later... the cycle begins.

Let me know if you still need help. Otherwise, I'll simply break down your questions, one by one..and begin to answer them...after I get lunch...I'm starving.

D

[JustDavidP]

Question #1: When do I expect Snickett to release the new fry? He's approx.2-3 days preggers (I think).

Reidi, or mine at least, carry for two weeks before releasing the fry. Typically, it's like clockwork. For a while, I could count on EVERY other Sunday morning siphon party. They've now switched over to a Tuesday delivery schedule....just to tick me off

A lot also depends on the fish, their pouch size, experience etc. The smaller the boy, the sooner he will expell the fry because frankly, there is no more room at the inn. Also, younger females tend to leave smaller clutches of eggs.

Health and environment make a difference too. Underfed, stressed or otherwise unhealthy ponies will have smaller batches of fry.

D

[JustDavidP]

Question #2: When should I separate him out of the tank into his own safe place where the fry don't get munched by anything else in the tank.

ASAP. The longer they are in the display, the more likely they will be preyed upon by both things living (other fish, corals etc.) and non-living (the dreaded Maxijet Monster).

Remember to NEVER expose them to air. Use a large diameter siphon and let gravity help you bring them into a 5 gallon bucket (have more water mixed and ready for your display). You can also use a turkey baster with the end cut off (to create a larger opening) but I've had no luck with that or simply scooping them with a specimen cup.

Using a net or other means that exposes the fry to air is sure to kill them. Their swim bladders will overinflate (you can actually see a little bubble in their throat area) and they will die a slow death.

[JustDavidP]

Question #3: Can you show me some pictures of the setup you put together when you had your batches of fry?

Sure...

The Kreisel Systems:











and the grow out tank (after they can hitch)

[JustDavidP]

Question #4: I need to know what I need for power heads or filtration of any kind.

Powerheads...NONE... Instead, use a section of ridgid airline and a pump. The air will move the water around plenty enough for the fry. As far as filtration goes, in a kreisel system, you will be using greenwater (natures own lil' filters) and doing plenty of water changes. Best not to use mechanical or chemical filtration at this stage.

In the growout tanks, I use simple sponge filters. In those growouts with a connected refugium, I use a small cascade type filter ON THE REFUGIA side.

D

[JustDavidP]

Question #5: Fill me in on water changes and such for the fry.

Simple enough. In the Kreisels, I change 1/4 of the water daily. I change 1/2 or more on weekends because I siphon and clean the system real well. I change daily because I always add greenwater in there and therefore have to remove some of the existing volume in order to do so. You'll note that in my pictures, the water is rarely (only on day one) without a green hue to it.

In the grow out tanks, I perform water changes "as needed" based upon the results of my testing. Much like you would any other system.

D

[JustDavidP]

Question #6. What do I feed the little ones?

Well... YOUR little ones are Reidi and are quite small and helpless at birth. They must start on rotifers. I use both rotifers and some frozen oyster eggs for mine. After a week or two, they will be large enough to take baby brine shrimp (BBS).

Baby Erectus Fry will take BBS from day one.

Enrich ANY food you are going to feed ANY Seahorse. Selcon, greenwater etc. can be put in the container with the BBS for a half day before feeding the BBS to your ponies.

[JustDavidP]

Question #7: How long do they stay in their first bowl where they were

The Kreisel system is needed for Reidi fry because they are born in a pelagic state where they are, for the most part, planktonic. They need to be kept in constant motion so they do not get stuck in the water surface. If they do, they die, simple as that. The kreisel system keeps them flowing and keeps them in contact with their food sources.

From time to time, after week two, I introduce a small (dime size) piece of rubble with a fake plant stem glued to it. I stop the motion in the kreisel for a few minutes to see if anyone hitches. ONCE They begin to hitch faitfully, I move them to the other grow out system.

Again, Erectus fry most often hitch soon after birth. The Kreisel stage is not really needed.

D

[JustDavidP]

Question #7: How long do they stay in their first bowl where they were

The Kreisel system is needed for Reidi fry because they are born in a pelagic state where they are, for the most part, planktonic. They need to be kept in constant motion so they do not get stuck in the water surface. If they do, they die, simple as that. The kreisel system keeps them flowing and keeps them in contact with their food sources.

From time to time, after week two, I introduce a small (dime size) piece of rubble with a fake plant stem glued to it. I stop the motion in the kreisel for a few minutes to see if anyone hitches. ONCE They begin to hitch faitfully, I move them to the other grow out system.

Again, Erectus fry most often hitch soon after birth. The Kreisel stage is not really needed.

D